December 30, 2009- Bill C-15, along with all pending legislation, is halted as the government announces Parliament will be "prorogued" until March 3, 2010. 

'Proroguing' parliament is where the Prime Minister asks the Governor General to end the current session of Parliament.  In effect, this immediately stops any pending legislation or committees in progress at both the House of Commons and the Senate.  March 3 is the date Parliament is set to resume. 

Bill C-15 is officially dead!  But the Conservative government's plan to introduce mandatory minimum sentences for drug crimes is not.

The Conservative party has been vehement in their pursuit of this bad idea, first in Bill C-26, and then Bill C-15.  Due to the work of many individuals and organizations the Conservative party has not been able to push this terrible policy through.  But this doesn't mean they won't keep trying.  It is crucial that we continue to work against the 'tough on crime' propaganda, and continue to work towards sensible drug policy. 

In announcing that the Throne Speech would not be until March 3th, the Prime Minister’s Office made their plan to re-introduce Bill C-15 very clear. Here is the message from the Prime Minister:

“We will reintroduce in their original form the consumer safety law (Bill C-6) and the anti-drug-crime law (Bill C-15) that the Ignatieff Liberals gutted.
We will seek Opposition agreement to proceed expeditiously with other Government legislation -- particularly laws urgently needed to fight crime -- that the Ignatieff Liberals have blocked and obstructed.”

YOUR MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT NEEDS YOU!

Now more than ever, it is important to contact your Member of Parliament and tell them to 'GET SMART ON CRIME'. 

They need to know you do not buy the propaganda.  If they try to sell you the idea that mandatory minimum sentences are going to make us safer, show them the studies, the data, the facts that they don't work. Mandatory minimum sentences do not deter drug use or drug crime.  If they tell you they are getting 'tough', tell them to get smart or get lost.

Keep writing the papers, calling the radio shows, and let them know the many reasons why it’s time to get smart on crime!

Tell your MP you want to actually take the hurt to organized crime.  By ending the criminalization of substances and substance users, we can create a sensible and successful drug policy for Canada.  A drug policy that does not focus on more prison time for non-violent offenders.  We need to address drugs and drug use as a public health issue.  Continuing a failing policy can only lead to continued failure.

Need help for your letter?  Want some ideas how to make your call really impactful?  Check out our resources section, or contact us and ask!

HOW DID YOUR MP VOTE ON C-15?
Those who voted against C-15 need to be congratulated and encouraged to keep up the fight while those who voted in favour of C-15 need to know that you don't support mandatory minimum sentences for drug crimes or the 'tough on crime' propaganda.

The final vote on C-15 at the House of Commons fell along party lines.
All Conservatives voted for.
All Liberals voted for.
All NDP voted against.
All Bloc voted against.
1 independent abstained.

PROTECT OUR YOUTH!  NO MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCES FOR DRUG CRIMES!